Julie James: Those are two very interesting points. The first one on the procedure on the continuity Bill, which I'm also going to call it, because the title is indeed very long and complicated, is that we will be looking to table a motion next week, to get the Assembly to agree that it should be treated as an emergency Bill, and that will also have a debate on the scheduling of that Bill, rather than the...
Julie James: Well, the Assembly has only just passed the tax regulations. We had a full and frank debate about it at the time. I think that it would be far too early for a statement to be brought forward on regulations that have only just been passed. I'm sure the Cabinet Secretary will bring forward a statement once we've had a good period of time for the regulations to show what they do in Wales and...
Julie James: The Member makes a very good point. Gigabit services are already widely available today across the UK, Wales and north Wales. Businesses that require gigabit speeds can access them, but of course, they come at a price. There is a real issue with the market price for gigabit services, but unfortunately the Welsh Government is not the controller of that. It's a matter for Ofcom to address those...
Julie James: Diolch, Llywydd. There are three changes to this week's business. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance will make a statement shortly on the JMC(EN) held last Thursday, and in order to accommodate this, I have postponed the statement updating the Assembly on the UK inquiry on infected blood until 13 March. Finally, the Business Committee has agreed to postpone tomorrow's short debate until next...
Julie James: Yes. I am very happy to categorically say that. We've never made any bones about the fact that we need to stay inside those arrangements. It's disastrous for research of all sorts—not just clinical research—across Wales and across the UK to be outside of those far-reaching partnership arrangements for that cutting-edge research. So, I'm very happy to say that that remains our position and...
Julie James: Well, Professor Minford is a little of an outlier amongst economic professors. Actually, in fact, I think he is entirely alone in his analysis of Welsh economic prospects without the EU. Our economic analysis shows that, over the long term, our economic output could be up to 8 per cent to 10 per cent lower than otherwise if we leave the single market and are forced to trade under World Trade...
Julie James: The Member makes a very important point, and, of course, we've been in extended negotiations with the UK Government about the respect for the devolution settlement as indicated in the EU withdrawal Bill. We will be looking to bring forward a Bill—the continuity Bill—and I'm very pleased, myself, to see Steffan in the Chamber this afternoon. We'll bring forward that continuity Bill to...
Julie James: Leaving the European Union will affect every community in Wales. In particular, jobs, business and public services in Islwyn, and, indeed, across Wales, will be critically dependent on securing full and unfettered access to the single market and a customs union, which are our top priorities.
Julie James: The Member's quite right, we did put the additional £1 million in—invested it—to enable them to respond to the challenge set out in 'Cymraeg 2050' to make rapid progress in expanding Welsh-medium early years provision. We've delivered to over 2,000 groups so far during 2017-18, providing support and advice to enable families to use more Welsh. The Member's absolutely right—there's real...
Julie James: I'm not absolutely certain whether that specific is, but I know that the review of Welsh in education strategic plans undertaken by Aled Roberts in 2017 included recommendations to strengthen the strategic relationship between local authorities and Mudiad Meithrin to ensure growth at local authority level to contribute to the Welsh Government target for 2050 and to ensure the system for...
Julie James: Yes. Grants and contracts totalling more than £3.7 million have so far been allocated to Mudiad Meithrin for the 2018-19 financial year. This includes an additional £1 million to expand Welsh-medium early years provision across Wales.
Julie James: I've some sympathy with what the Member's saying as my own parents are Welsh speaking, as he knows, and I'm not Welsh speaking as they didn't teach it to me as a child and I've singularly failed to get any better at it than knowing my colours and numbers, I'm ashamed to say. So, I think there's a lot to be said for bringing up your children bilingually. Cymraeg for Kids provides advice and...
Julie James: I think the whole situation with bus transport is a fraught one. We are indeed spending an enormous amount of money on bus transport right across Wales, not just in the north of the country. Once we have the bus regulation powers devolved to Wales, we will have to have, I think, a fundamental look at how we use that subsidy money, including both revenue and capital subsidies, because I think...
Julie James: My understanding is it's part of the consideration of the connectivity that I was just talking about. The Cabinet Secretary's indicating to me that it will be part of the consideration, but, if the Member wants to write for very specific details, I'm sure he'd be happy to give you specifics.
Julie James: Yes, very important points. We certainly recognise the importance of improving transport connectivity between north Wales and north-west England, and that's why we're working closely with organisations on both sides of the border to develop and deliver improvements across all transport modes. Representatives from Cheshire West and Chester, Merseyside travel and Wirral are members of the north...
Julie James: Welcome to the Chamber. I think that's your first question, so I'm delighted to be the one answering it. Our plans for investment across north Wales are detailed in the 'National Transport Finance Plan 2017 Update'. Our resources are directed to achieving a sustainable and integrated transport system that supports all modes of transport.
Julie James: My understanding is that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services has already asked the chief ambulance services commissioner to review the monitoring of amber calls in order to reduce the time waited by those with the longest response times and consider how the amber calls are being dealt with. So, I'm sure he's heard that additional point that you've made and will be taking...
Julie James: Yes, indeed. The new clinical response model is ensuring all patients receive the right response from the right type of clinician and vehicle to optimise their chances of a good outcome, and that patients in most need of an immediate intervention receive the fastest response.
Julie James: I think it's a very laudable aim. I'm not too sure about china ones, but I know that David Melding has heard me on one of my many soapboxes on a number of occasions about my antipathy towards single-use coffee cups, and my carrying around, to the detriment of the inside of my handbag on occasions, coffee cups that can be refilled. Indeed, I'm very pleased that the Assembly estate largely uses...
Julie James: We've commissioned consultants to conduct a study to examine the potential for extended producer responsibility approaches in Wales, which will help increase recycling and reduce the littering of packaging. I think the research will be focusing on food and drink-related packaging, including plastic bottles and cans, and will also include an analysis of a potential deposit-return scheme. The...
